The stolen Stradivarius violin that was taken from Euston station in 2010 has sold for £1.38million at auction.
It belonged to London-based violinist Min-Jin Kim. The instrument was recovered three years later by police in the Midlands.
Made in Cremona in Italy in 1696 by Antonio Stradivarius, it is one of an estimated 600 remaining instruments made by him.
The violin sold by the auction house Tarisio. Jason Price from Tarisio and musician Hannah Tarley explained why the violin is so special.

Not a Stradivarius after allA violin owned by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, thought to be the creation of Antonio Stradivari, has been found to be the work of another, lesser esteemed craftsman, Girolamo Amati. The reassignment of creator means that the estimated value of the instrument has fallen by at least half (more…)

2011, A well-preserved Stradivarius violin has been sold in an online auction for £9.8m ($15.9m) to raise money for disaster relief in Japan.

The violin was made in 1721 and is known as the Lady Blunt after Lord Byron’s granddaughter Lady Anne Blunt who owned it for 30 years. It was sold by a music foundation in Japan for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in March.

The price is more than four times the previous record for a Stradivarius. Proceeds will go to the Nippon Foundation’s Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
The violin was offered for sale by the Nippon Music Foundation, owner of some of the world’s finest Stradivari and Guarneri instruments.

8 April 2011: Man jailed for Stradivarius violin theft at Euston

A man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for stealing a £1.2m Stradivarius violin at Euston station.
John Michael Maughan, 30, of no fixed address, and two boys, aged 15 and 16, took the instrument from a Korean-born classical musician, Min-Jin Kym. The 16-year-old was detained for 10 months. The younger boy will be sentenced at a later date. Maughan and the boys, from Tottenham, admitted the theft at Blackfriars Crown Court in March.

The case containing the 1696 violin, a £62,000 Peccatte bow and another bow worth £5,000, were taken on 29 November 2010 when their 32-year-old owner stopped to eat at a cafe outside the central London station. They have not been recovered (more…)

£1.2m Stradivarius stolen as violin star buys a sandwich

A violin worth more than £1million was stolen from a brilliant musician when she stopped for a £2.95 sandwich. Internationally acclaimed violinist Min-Jin Kym, 32, was on her way to catch a train when her Stradivarius, which is more than 300 years old, was stolen by a gang of three opportunist thieves targeting passengers at Euston station in London. The instrument was in a black case which also contained two valuable bows.One of only 450 in the world, it will prove difficult to sell as dealers would immediately recognise its unique label and markings (more…)

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Stradivarius violins

Ever wondered where in the world all of these priceless Stradivarius violins are located? Well now you know (sort of). Some of the whereabouts of Strad instruments is unknown, but here are the ones that we do know about:

ex-Back 1666O: Royal Academy of MusicN&T: Currently displayed as part of Royal Academy’s York Gate Collection

Amatese 1668N&T: Though listed in many reference books as one of Stradivari’s earliest instruments, the modern consensus is that it is actually not a Stradivarius violin. It was sold Sotheby’s New York on February 3, 1982 as “an interesting violin.”

Oistrakh 1671O: David OistrakhN&T: Stolen from the Museum of Musical Culture in Russia in May 1996 but recovered in 2001.

Hellier 1679O: Sir Samuel HellierN&T: Held by the Smithsonian Institution

Paganini-Desaint 1680O: Nippon Music Foundation; The collection of Mr & Mrs Rin Kei MeiN&T: This violin along with the Paganini-Comte Cozio di Salabue violin of 1727, the Paganini-Mendelssohn viola 1731, and Paganini-Ladenburg cello of 1736, compose a group of instruments referred to as the Paganini Quartet; on loan to Kikuei Ikeda of the Tokyo String Quartet

Baumgartner1689O: Canada Council for the ArtsN&T: On loan to Judy Kang

Spanish I 1689O: Patrimonio Nacional, Palacio Real, Madrid, SpainN&T: date range 1687-1689; part of a duo of violins (Spanish I and II) referred to as los Decorados, and los Palatinos; also collectively known as del Cuarteto Real (The Royal Quartet) when included with the Spanish Court viola (1696) and cello (1694).

Spanish II 1689O: Patrimonio Nacional, Palacio Real, Madrid, SpainN&T: date range 1687-1689; part of a duo of violins (Spanish I and II) referred to as los Decorados, and los Palatinos; also collectively known as del Cuarteto Real (The Royal Quartet) when included with the Spanish Court viola (1696) and cello (1694).

Fetzer 1697O: Edvin MartonN&T: Dima Bilan, together with Evgeni Plushenko, and Edvin Marton playing his Stradivarius, won the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Ex-Napoleon/Molitor Stradivarius 1697

Ms.Meyers recently acquired the Ex-Napoleon/Molitor Stradivarius dated 1697. The violin belonged to one of France’s legendary beauties, Madame Juliette Recamier, and then passed to Count Joseph Molitor, a General in Napoleon’s Army. The violin also passed through Napoleon Bonaparte’s hands-you can read about its provenance here. Ms.Meyers also owns the “Royal Spanish” made in 1730 by the legendary Italian maker Antonio Stradivari (1644 –1737). The “Royal Spanish” earned its name because it previously belonged to the King of Spain.

October 14, 2010, a 1697 Stradivarius violin known as ‘The Molitor’ was sold online by Tarisio Auctions for a world-record price of $3,600,000 to renowned concert violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. The price is the highest on record for any musical instrument sold at auction.

Dragonetti 1700O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: Formerly owned by Alfredo Campoli.
This violin is one of the very few instruments which still retain its original neck. Its name is taken from the owner, Domenico Dragonetti (1763-1846), who was an Italian virtuoso double bass player. Dragonetti formed a large collection of double basses, violins, cellos, harps and guitars. Just prior to the Foundation’s acquisition, this violin was played by the renowned violinist, Frank Peter Zimmerman (1965- ) throughout the world.

Jupiter 1700O: Giovanni Battista Viotti;

Taft ex-Emil Heermann 1700O: Canada Council for the ArtsN&T: on loan to Renée-Paule Gauthier

Lord Newlands 1702O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Toru Yasunaga
This violin was named after the owner, Lord Newlands (1890-1929), who treasured it throughout his life. While this violin was in the care of W.E.Hill & Sons of London between 1964 and 1982, it was exhibited at the CINOA Exhibit of Bath in 1973 as the most outstanding violin in the Hill Collection. According to the world virtuoso violinist Isaac Stern (1920-2001) who once played this violin, “Lord Newlands” has the same power as his “del Gesu” violins.

Hammer 1707O: Christian Hammer (collector)N&T: sold at Christie’s New York on 16 May 2006 for a record US$3,544,000 (€2,765,080) after five minutes of bidding

The Hammer Stradivarius violin, measures 36cm and bears the label inside:. Dating from 1707, It was made during Stradivari’s ‘golden’ period. The Hammer was so called as it was once owned by a Swedish collector Christian Hammer who is the first recorded owner. Latterly it found its way the United States and into the ownership of a music teacher, Bernard Sinsheimer but in 1992, it was acquired by a Japanese oil company.

Huggins 1708O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: The name of this violin is taken from the ownership by William Huggins (1824-1910), a well-known English astronomer in the 1880s. Since 1997, this violin has been slated to the first-prize winner of The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition in Belgium for four years until the next competition takes place. The winners of the previous Competitions are Nikolaj Znaider of Denmark (1997), Baiba Skride of Latvia (2001), Sergey Khachatryan of Armenia (2005), Ray Chen of Australia (2009).

Engleman 1709O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Lisa Batiashvili
This violin was once owned by the family of a naval officer Commander Young until his death in the World War II. The Young family had retained possession of the violin for almost 150 years, which is reflected in its superior condition. Nippon Music Foundation acquired this violin from an American amateur violinist and collector Ephraim Engleman, hence the name “Engleman”.

Camposelice 1710O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Kyoko Takezawa
The name of this violin is derived from an owner in France in the 1880s by the name of Duke of Camposelice, who was a well-known Stradivarius collector. In 1894, the violin was sold to Mrs. Jack Gardner, who founded the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Mrs. Gardner presented the violin to Martin Loeffler, composer and violinist, who played and kept it from 1894 to 1928. In 1937, this violin was exhibited at the prestigious Cremona Exhibition by Dr. Kuhne who owned a collection of instruments. It was in the hands of a Belgian amateur player who kept it for over thirty years and it is from his heir that the Foundation acquired this instrument.

the Lady Inchiquin 1711O: previously owned by Fritz KreislerN&T: played by Frank Peter Zimmermann, a German banking company, WestLB AG, bought it for his use.

Earl of Plymouth; Kreisler 1711O: Los Angeles PhilharmonicN&T: found in store room on the estate of the Earl of Plymouth along with The Messiah and Alard violins in 1925; purchased by Fritz Kreisler in 1928 and subsequently sold by him in 1946

Dolphin; Delfino 1714O: Jascha Heifetz; Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Akiko Suwanai
This violin is perhaps one of the most famous violins known today. It is recognized as one of the top three violins made by Stradivari along with 1715 “Alard” and 1716 “Messiah”. This instrument was once owned and played by the world famous virtuoso Jascha Heifetz (1900-1987). The owner in the late 1800s, George Hart, who was an instrument dealer in London, named the violin “Dolphin” as its striking appearance and colour of its back reminded him of a dolphin.

Joachim 1715O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Sayaka Shoji
This is one of the five 1715 violins once owned by the famed Hungarian violinist, Joseph Joachim (1831-1907). This violin was later bequeathed to Joachim’s great-niece Adela d’Aranyi, who was a violinist and a pupil of Joachim. Therefore, the violin is also known as “Joachim-Aranyi”. This violin had since remained in the same family until Nippon Music Foundation acquired the instrument.

2014 Theft: On January 27, 2014, a Monday, at around 10:20 pm (22:20 CST), Almond was assaulted with a stun gun and the violin, along with two bows, were stolen during an armed robbery in a parking lot in the rear of Wisconsin Lutheran College on W. Wisconsin Ave. Almond had just performed at Wisconsin Lutheran as part of his “Frankly Music” series.On 31 January 2014, a US$100,000 reward was announced for the return of the violin. Milwaukee police worked with international police organizations on recovery efforts. The original getaway vehicle and violin case, were both found a short time after the original attack, which appeared to have been carefully planned in advanceThree suspects were arrested by Milwaukee police on February 3rd;on February 6th, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn announced that the violin had been recovered.

Booth 1716O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Shunsuke Sato; formerly loaned to Arabella Steinbacher; formerly loaned to Julia Fischer
The name “Booth” comes from Mrs. Booth, an English lady. She purchased the violin about 1855 to form a quartet of Stradivari instruments for her two sons who showed considerable talent when young. In 1931, the violin passed into the hands of Mischa Mischakoff (1896-1981), a celebrated American violinist, and in 1961, the violin became a part of the Hottinger Collection in New York. The violin enjoys a very good reputation for excellent quality of tone and power and good state of preservation. The Foundation acquired this violin in 1999.

ex-Windsor-Weinstein; Fite 1716O: Canada Council for the ArtsN&T: on loan to Caroline Chéhadé

Baron Wittgenstein 1716O: The Bulgarian stateN&T: on loan to Mincio Mincev since 1979

Gariel 1717

ex-Wieniawski 1717

Kochanski 1717O: Pierre AmoyalN&T: Stolen in 1987, recovered in 1991

Sasserno 1717O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Viviane Hagner
The name of this violin is taken from a French owner in 1845, Comte de Sasserno. In 1894, it was acquired by a violinist Otto Peiniger, who in turn sold it to Pickering Phipps, owner of a well-known brewery in England.In 1906, this violin was passed into the hands of an English industrialist John Summers and was well-preserved in his family for 93 years.

Lady Blunt 1721O: Paolo Stradivari.It has also been owned by several well-known collectors and experts including WE Hill & Son, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, the Baron Johann Knoop and Sam Bloomfield.N&T: Once owned by Lady Anne Blunt, the daughter of the Earl of Lovelace and granddaughter of the famous poet Byron, the instrument bears the name. The freshness of preservation is outstanding, deserving to rank with 1716 “Le Messiah” at the Ashmolean Museum, and 1690 “Tuscan”. The original beck and bass bar are preserved. The initials P.S. in the pegbox were inscribed by Paolo, Antonio Stradivari’s son.2011, sold for £9.8m at charity auction (more…)

The Macmillan 1721N&T: On Loan to Ray Chen through Young Concert Artists

Artot 1722

Jules Falk 1723O: Viktoria Mullova

Jupiter; ex-Goding 1722O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Daishin Kashimoto; formerly Midori Goto
This violin has been in caring hands who appreciated its quality, and therefore it is a well-preserved example of Stradivari’s work. It is believed that a great English collector James Goding named the violin “Jupiter” in the early 1800s. For a period of time, this instrument was performed by the world acclaimed Japanese violinist Midori Goto (1971- ).

Laub-Petschnikoff 1722

Elman 1722O: Chi Mei Museum

Cádiz 1722O: Joseph FuchsN&T: on loan to Jennifer Frautschi; named after the city of Cádiz, Spain.

Kiesewetter; “Ex Keisewetter” 1723O: Clement and Karen ArrisonN&T: on loan to Philippe Quint brokered by the Stradivari Society. Left by Quint in taxi on 21 April 2008, and recovered the following day.

Wilhelmj 1725O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Baiba Skride;
The name of this violin is derived from a German violinist August Wilhelmj (1845-1908), who came to possess this instrument in 1866. This violin was Wilhelmj’s favorite among many precious violins he owned. After 30 years of playing this instrument, Wilhelmj sold this violin to his pupil in America as he made the decision to “quit when at my best”.

Kreutzer 1727O:Maxim VengerovN&T: one of four Stradivari violins with the sobriquet Kreutzer (1701, 1720, 1731)

Ex Reynier” or “Le Reynier”; Hart; ex-Francescatti 1727O: Societe LVMH (Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton) since 1993 or1994; Salvatore Accardo.N&T: Named after Leon Reynier who won at the Concervatoire de Paris in 1847. Has been lent to Maxim Vengerov.

Paganini-Comte Cozio di Salabue 1727O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: 1727 violin (1st violin), the Paganini-Desaint violin of 1680 (2nd violin), the Paganini-Mendelssohn viola of 1731, the Paganini-Ladenburg cello of 1736. This internationally renowned quartet is one of Stradivari’s six sets of quartet known to exist today. It was once owned and played by the Italian virtuoso violinist and composer, Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840), hence the name “Paganini Quartet”. It is a known fact that Paganini was especially impressed with the sound quality of the viola that he commissioned a French composer Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) to write a piece for viola and orchestra. As a result, the symphony Harold in Italy was composed for this viola. Nippon Music Foundation acquired this set of quartet from the Corcoran Gallery of Arts in Washington D.C. in 1994. The Foundation only loans these four instruments as a set of quartet and they are currently on loan to the Tokyo String Quartet (on loan to Martin Beaver)

Artot-Alard 1728O: Endre BaloghN&T: a bench copy of this instrument was produced in 1996 by Gregg Alf and Joseph Curtin, using modern materials and methods; Balogh performs on both the 1728 original and the replica.

Baillot 1732O: Fondazione Casa di RisparmioN&T: lent to Giuliano Carmignola for the DG recording of Vivaldi: Concertos for Two Violins

Duke of Alcantara 1732O: an obscure Spanish nobleman described as an aide-de-camp of King Don Carlos; UCLAN&T: Genevieve Vedder donated the instrument to the University of California at Los Angeles’ (UCLA) music department in the 1960s. In 1967, the instrument was on loan to David Margetts. Whether it was left on the roof of his car or stolen is uncertain, but for 27 years the violin was considered missing until it was recovered from an amateur violinist who claimed to have found it on a freeway. A settlement was made and the Stradivarius was returned to UCLA in 1995

Muntz 1736O: Nippon Music FoundationN&T: on loan to Arabella Steinbacher
The label attached to this instrument bears an inscription, “92 years old”, handwritten by Stradivari himself. It has a first class reputation for its excellent condition and tonal quality. This violin takes its name from a famous collector and amateur violinist, H.M.Muntz of Birmingham, England, who owned this violin in the late 1800s. This is one of the last instruments made by Stradivari, who passed away in 1737.